Measuring-cup.



(N0 Model.)

Patented lune 24, |902;,

.1. M. sTHouT.`

MEASURING CUP.

(Application led Nov. 15, 1901.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOSEPH MILTON STROUT, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

MEASURlNG-CUP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,097, dated June 24, 1902.

Application filed November 15,1901. Serial No. 82,431. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ wtont t may concern:

Be it known that LJosEPH MILTON STROUT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State 0f Maine, have invented a new and useful Measuring-Cup, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cup or vessel for measuring powdered or granular material; and it comprises in general a cylindrical vessel provided with a movable bottom or follower carrying a sliding scale bymeans of which the position of the bottom or follower may be adjusted for the measurement of different quantities.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a measuring-cup constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the device. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom or follower and its measuringscale removed from the cup. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cup proper, a portion of the wall of the cup being broken away.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

l indicates a cylindrical cup or vessel open at both ends and provided at its lower end with an inwardly-projecting stop or shoulder 2, from one edge of which projects a small locking-tongue 3, the latterbeing arranged at the extreme lower edge of the cylinder.

Within the cup or casing is a closely-fittin g disk 4, forming a false bottom or follower which may be adjusted to any desired position along the length of the cylinder t0 vary the cubic content of the cylinder between the bottom or follower and the upper edge of said cylinder. The bottom or follower is secured to or formed integral with two slides 5, curved in cross-section to correspond to the curvature of the cylinder and fitting snugly therein in order to create sufficient friction to hold the slides in any position to which they may be adjusted. The bottom of the slides are connected by a curved finger-piece 6 for convenience in adjusting the device, and as the slides and the cylinder are ot' equal length the finger-piece will at all times be projected slightly below the lower end of the cylinder in convenient position to be grasped. In order to increase the friction between the slides and the inner wall of the cylinder, the slides may be formed of spring metal and slightly bowed or bent outwardly.

On the outer face of one or both of the slides 5 is marked a suitable scale, as indicated at 6. In the present instance the cup or vessel is supposed to have a capacity equal to one tablespoonful or two teaspoonfuls, and the slide has been subdivided to form a scale representing fractional parts of the total capacity of the cup. To insure the retention of the false bottom or follower in its adjusted position, a series of notches 7 are formed in the vertical edge of one of the slides, a notch being placed at each of the divisionmarks, and said notches are adapted to be engaged with the tongue 3 by slightly rotating the slide and bottom by means of a iinger-piece 6.

The stop or shoulder 2 forms the downward limit of movement of the bottom; but the latter, together with the slides and attached finger-piece, may be readily forced out through the top of the cylinder when the cup is to be cleaned.

The device is intended primarily for household use, but of course may be employed in any capacity for the measurement of different materials.

Various modifications in the form, proportions, and details of construction may be made within 'the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is-V 1. The combination with an open-ended vessel having at its lower end a stop or shoulder, a bottom or follower adapted to slide within the vessel, oppositely-disposed slides secured to the bottom or follower and bearing an indicating-scale having a notched edge for engagement with said stop, and a fingerpiece connecting the lower ends of said slide, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with an `open-ended vessel, of a bottom or follower adapted to slide within the vessel, oppositely-disposed spring-slides secured to the bottom or follower and in frictional contact with the inner IOO wall of the Vessel thereby to assist in retaining,r the parts inan adjusted position, one of said slides being provided with an indicatingscale, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with an open-ended Vessel having at its lower end an inwardlyplojeoting stopshoulder and provided with a looking-tongue, of a bottom or follower adapted to slide within the Vessel, oppositely- `disposed slides secured to said bottoni or follower, a finger-piece connecting the lower ends of the slides, there being on one of said slides an indicating -seale and a series of notches, the latter being adapted for engagel ment with the xed tongue of the vessel.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH MILTON STROUT.

Vitnesses:

CARROLL W. MORRILL, LIZZIE M. WILLARD. 

